Pages

Friday, November 2, 2012

Day 31 - Press On

toward
Abundant Life

If this is your first day here you may want to read here first

Day 31 - This is not the end, We've only just begun


 


Day 31~ we are at the end of our 31 Days journey toward the abundant life that is ours in Christ. In a way I am sad to see it end. I've sincerely relished the daily sacred time I've spent sharing my heart as well as my love for my Savior with you. It truly was a sacrificial giving of my time since somethings just had to be put aside so that I could write. There were days that were so jammed packed from morning until night that I did not have any time until late at night. Many nights I was tempted to just crawl in my warm bed, but instead I poured out my heart to you. Some posts more then others. Sometimes I'd think "I'm going to write something quick because I don't have much time and it's late." Those were usually the days I posted the longest posts, ha ha ha. It has been a joy, a challenge, and it has definitely stretched me! So glad that even though I had the little blip early on when I went up North and missed two days I picked up where I left off pressed on and persevered to the end! This 31 Days journey may have come to an end, but it doesn't really have to end! My prayer is that you gals keep pressing forward in your walk with Christ! Press On Dear ones!  Would be to God I will too!  As for the blog!  I will continue, but at a more realistic and family friendly pace. Perhaps once a week.
 
Thank-you ladies for staying with me on this journey and for checking in to read my blog once and awhile. For those of you who commented either on my blog, facebook, or email I want you to know that I am so incredibly thankful for your comments and encouragement! You girls are incredible! You are loved and precious to me and especially to our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ!
"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
"
Isaiah 53:10-11


Dear ones, I remember the day I found the above Scripture and was overwhlemed that Jesus took pleasure in dying for a wretch like me!  My paryer is that you know the same is true for you!  God is not dissapointed in you! You are the labor of His soul and as such He is satisfied! Know that He is not thinking "What was I thinking when I created her!" No! Not at all! He is thinking "look at my daughter, isn't she beautiful!" "It was my joy to suffer and die for her!" What an amazing unfathomable love!

If you have not already won't you today accept the gift of eternal life that's found in faith in Christ's redeeming love? He longs to give it you! You don't have to do anything to earn it! It is His gift to you! You just have to accept it!

Won't you finish this 31 Days series with me and worship the Lord for He is good! Scroll down to next post and click on Matt Redman's video of his song 10,000 Reason (Bless The Lord)! To God be The glory! "Bless The Lord Oh, my soul. Ooooh my soul. Worship His holy name!"

 

Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Day 30 - Be Thankful

toward
Abundant Life

If this is your first day here you may want to read here first

Day 30 - Be Thankful

Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; 
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

How appropriate that the day I choose to write about thankfulness happens to be the first day of November!   One might be tempted to think that I actually planned that.  But truth be told I did not.  After all I am the "fly by the seat of your pants" kinda girl.   Some of you have probably already figured that out.  Especially if you have been with me since the beginning you know that the original list I typed out of the topics I would be covering for 31 days had been deleted.  In it's place I've been adding the titles of what I actually have written on.  I truly am pathetic, I can't even follow my own plan, ha ha ha.  Ladies it's good to laugh at ourselves isn't it!  Sorry I digress...now where was I...Oh yes, Thankfulness!

The above verse says "in everything give thanks."  I don't know about you, but that is not easy for me.  I mean it's easy to give thanks when things are going well, but when they are not I'm more likely to grumble and complain then give thanks.  Yes,  I know that we are not to be grumbling and complainingNonetheless that is exactly what I do!  I'm getting better then I used to be on this one, but I certainly have not mastered it yet (phil. 3:13-15).  

One thing that has helped me is knowing that it's not like I'm to be  all like "thank-you Lord for this awful thing that you have allowed into my life."   Rather it's more like "thank-you Father that even though this is painful I know somehow You will work it for my good (Romans 8:28), and that You give me everything I need so I can get through this!"  "Thank-you that Your carrying me through it!"

In my house I have two signs in my kitchen one big and one small one that say "in everything give thanks." I have them there to be a constant reminder to me of what my attitude should be.  I need the reminder, because I'm more of a the cup is half empty more then a cup is half full kind of person.  If you like the idea of having a reminder you don't have to have a sign. Instead you could just write it out on a sticky note and put that where you can see it. 

Another helpful thing I learned in a Bible Study I taught (Lord, Change My Attitude by Jame MacDonald) is to write 10 things down that your thankful for at the end of the day and review in the morning.  Or was it the other way around...well anyways I'm not sure it matters which way you do it so long as you do it.  If you do, do it you will find that your outlook on life will be so much better then it has been.  Why don't you give it a try then check back in with me at a later and  let me know how it went? 

Praying Dear sister's that we will learn to count our blessing far more then our disappointments!  Then we truly will walk more and more in the abundant life that is ours in Christ!

Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman Jr. 1897
  1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
    When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
    Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
    And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
    • Refrain:
      Count your blessings, name them one by one,
      Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
      Count your blessings, name them one by one,
      *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
      [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
  2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
    Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
    Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
    And you will keep singing as the days go by.
  3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
    Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
    Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
    Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
  4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
    Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
    Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
    Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
*Alternate text.